Make-A-Wish Stories - Hi-Tech and Professional

I wish to be in the military.

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:15:25 GMT

When 6-year-old Andrew�s wish came true, he felt right at home. Everyone was wearing camouflage, just as he often does.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation arranged for him to spend a day among people he idolizes � the men and women who serve in the armed forces. All four branches of the U.S. military, active, Reserve & National Guard, worked together to give Andrew an incredible day among their ranks.

Andrew, who is diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, lives just 30 minutes from March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, Calif. He and his family reported bright and early in March 2009 for his wish.

Andrew meets Marines on their way to Camp Pendleton.

Reporting for Duty

The day started with a visit to the base Falcons, who keep the runway cleared of smaller birds. Then it was off to a tour a C-17 transport plane - Air Force personnel made Andrew feel like part of the crew with a flight suit, helmet and helmet bag. They also pinned aviator�s wings to his new uniform. This C-17 plane was even more special because it was stopping at March on a training mission from Travis Air Force Base.

Andrew then met a detachment of Marines bound for Camp Pendleton. The Marines decided he needed more than a flight suit � they prepared a uniform fitted just for him and made him an honorary Sergeant Major. Many of the Marines even joked with Andrew saying he�d only been there for five minutes and had more ranks than they�d received in 10 years.

The Army and Navy were also eager to meet Andrew. One long-serving soldier was so pleased to meet Andrew that he gave him a collection of coins and medals that he�d collected over nearly 40 years. The Navy also had Andrew decked out in uniform and let him sit in the captain�s chair of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat. Plus, the Navy Sea Cadets showed off their �armory� and let Andrew target practice with their computerized shooting range.

�He was just having fun,� said his mother, Diane.

On the Flight Line and Beyond

Up next was Andrew�s favorite part � seeing all the military hardware up-close. Diane said he loved being able to get inside and look around. He saw everything from a supersonic F-16 fighter to a huge KC-135 airborne tanker. Though he couldn�t climb inside, the unmanned Predator drone also fascinated Andrew.

Andrew takes the captain's chair.

Andrew�s hosts weren�t ready to call it a day. They showed him inside fire trucks and military police cars before he climbed inside a Humvee. After that, it was time for Andrew�s return to civilian life.

Overwhelming Effort for a Courageous Kid

Hundreds of military personnel had a hand in granting Andrew�s wish. And no matter what uniform they wore, they were all united in that day�s mission � bringing joy to one courageous kid.

The armfuls of souvenirs and pictures will make sure that Andrew always remembers his �day in the military� wish � and the dedicated people in uniform who made it possible.

�It was nice. I didn�t think they�d do that much for him,� Diane said. �Then I cried!�

Photos by Staff Sgt. Angel Gallardo

-Justin Schmid

I wish to go to Mississippi and help rebuild a day care center.

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:18:22 GMT

Dozens of volunteers pitched in for Elise�s wish to clean, paint and redecorate the daycare�s walls.

There is a day care center in a small Mississippi Gulf Coast town where children celebrate their very special patron � Elise, a 12-year-old girl whose fondest wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® . Elise could have asked for a vacation, a computer, a celebrity visit or a horse. Instead, she wished to help children whose lives were turned upside down in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Elise was a happy, healthy girl who enjoyed school, sports and horseback riding until 2006, when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

While Elise was being treated, Hurricane Katrina was in the news. She learned that the storm damaged the Total Child Learning Center in Ocean Springs, Miss., affecting the lives of nearly 20 children ages 2-11. Elise thought to herself, �If the doctors can fix what�s wrong with me, maybe I can fix what�s wrong with this day care center.� A wish was born, and Make-A-Wish^® volunteers immediately went to work.

When Elise and her family arrived in Mississippi, they were greeted by a crowd of well-wishers holding signs and balloons. But Elise was shocked and saddened by the devastation. So much of the town had not yet been rebuilt. She knew then she�d come to the right place to make her wish as meaningful as possible.

More than 100 volunteers contributed to work parties that stretched from Friday through Sunday. Elise laid linoleum and painted cubbies. Aided by the manager of the local Lowe�s, day care workers and volunteers from nearby Keesler Air Force Base, her reconstruction project took shape. Some of the day care�s children and their parents came to lend a hand. After the finishing touches were put on the work, Elise and her family were treated to some well-earned rest.

On Monday, the final day of Elise�s wish experience, she arrived at the center for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The kids were happy and excited � running around on their new floor, drawing on the cool chalkboard tables and trying on funny costumes.

Elise has vivid memories of the children � and they have not forgotten her kindness. They stay in touch, and the kids still talk about the girl with the brown curly hair and big smile who brought a huge measure of hope, strength and joy to their lives.

I wish to be a musician and create my own CD.

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:48:57 GMT

A.J., 18, wished to record his own CD with his best friend, Justin.

Heads turned as a new song came over the sound system in Detroit�s Hard Rock Caf�. The artists � a duo from Brighton, Mich. � were seated at the best table in the house. One of them was 18-year-old A.J., and recording this song was his wish.

A.J. and his best friend Justin had always dreamed of becoming musicians. At 15, A.J. began taking guitar lessons. His funds ran out after only a few sessions, so he continued learning by watching instructional videos on YouTube. He and Justin jammed to tunes recorded by their rock heroes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kid Rock and Metallica.

But mastering the guitar was far from A.J.�s only challenge. At age 2, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and severe asthma.

�The hospital is like my second home, and the doctors and nurses are like my second family,� A.J. said, looking back on the many months he�s spent there. �They�re so great to me. They even gave me a laptop so I could do some song writing to pass the time in bed.�

A.J�s mom, Theresa, admits that many of A.J.�s recent hospital stays have been scary, but she admires her son�s positive attitude. �He�s trying to live life to the fullest, even though you never know what the future will bring,� she said.

When A.J. learned he was eligible for a wish, he asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help him create a CD of his original music.

A.J. taught himself to play guitar by watching YouTube videos.

A.J. and Justin had written several instrumental songs, and wish granters introduced them to music producer Mark Nilan. He encouraged them to write lyrics for some of their songs. Then he called in seasoned studio musicians to lay down drum, vocal and piano tracks.

Shortly after the CD was finished, A.J. was back in the hospital for several days. But his wish was far from over. After he left the hospital, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, in partnership with General Motors, presented A.J. with a new guitar autographed by several popular bands.

�It�s a beautiful guitar,� A.J. said. �It sounds perfect, and it�s just the right size for me. I had no idea it was coming.�

Then it was off to lunch, where their CD would soon make a surprise public debut.

Justin recognized their song first and pointed it out to an astounded A.J. Then the Hard Rock Caf� staff announced them and asked them to autograph a copy of the CD. Other diners visited their table to congratulate them and ask where they could buy their music.

�Me and Justin couldn�t stop smiling all day,� he added. �We were treated like rock stars.�

The Hard Rock Caf� proved to be Theresa�s favorite memory as well. �I watched A.J. as his song came on, and the smile on his face showed how proud he was,� she said. �This was an experience I never would have been able to give him on my own. He still talks about it every day.�

On the day he received his new guitar, A.J. gave a mini-concert for the Make-A-Wish staff.

A.J. and Justin�s celebrity status is now spreading at their school. �I played my music for classmates, and they came up to me later and said they were humming my songs all day,� he said. �Justin�s been recruiting for the other positions in our band, and I think we have a whole band now.�

�I just want to say thank you to the Make-A-Wish Foundation,� A.J. said. �You guys do amazing work. You bring hope to kids like me.�